How long do septic systems last?

It can never be denied that there are homeowners who neglect the fact they own a septic system as well. When they buy a house the last thing they usually think of is the type of material the septic system is made of or the septic system’s actual condition. When you wanted to buy that piece of land, you wanted your home there to be flawless. One of your main considerations was the septic system. Your parents have always told you how important it was to have a fully functional septic system. But how long do septic systems last?

As you know, the septic system is responsible for treating the wastewater that exits your household. It all starts in the septic tank. This part of the septic system needs to be made of durable material because this is responsible for collecting and separating the wastewater to three layers (scum: top player, effluent: clear liquid, and sludge: bottom layer) so that when the effluent finally gets to the drain field, the solid wastes would be left to be degraded by the anaerobic bacteria.

Wastewater enters the septic tank and stays there for a while so that the degradation of the solid waste particles would be done. This subjects the septic tank and its components to the various substances of the wastewater. There can be salts and acids that slowly deteriorate the septic system so you should really make sure that the septic system that you purchase would be made of durable material.

Remember, septic systems do not last a lifetime. At some point, you would have to replace it. These days, there are various materials that you can choose from such as steel, concrete, and polymer. Steel septic systems are durable and can last fifteen to twenty years. When the steel septic system lasts this long, it would most probably be very rusted and heavily deteriorated. The steel septic tank cover would still be intact until it is crushed by a heavy vehicle or structure. Concrete septic systems can last from a year to 40 years depending on the quality of concrete used and how well it is mixed. Both steel and concrete septic systems deteriorate because of the salts, acids, and other harsh substances found in the wastewater. The latest discovery for septic systems is polymer. The polymer septic system is a more durable one and also promises years and years of efficient functioning, provided that it is not subjected to very heavy physical damage.

If you would really want to make sure that your money will go to a very durable septic system, you should consult the most reliable manufacturers and also ask them how long do septic systems last? Of course, you have to have it set that you will need a serious amount of cash to acquire what you want for your home. It is not a very easy purchase to make so you have to canvass and research as much information that you could. Tedious as it may be, you should sacrifice time and money to get the best for your household.

Remember that the deterioration of the concrete and steel septic systems start as soon as you install them. The soil, weather and groundwater also contribute to this. Concrete is very porous and could readily have cracks that affect its lifespan and efficiency.

Take note that if you do buy a property with a septic system already installed, check with the septic expert that handles it in that area so that you may know its real condition, age, and size. This way, you may have a founded idea of how long it will last and if it needs repairs and treatments. It would be much better if you request a full-service septic contractor to make the septic inspection so that a complete report could be made. If this professional will do the inspection, the necessary repairs and replacements could already be done and the amount could just be factored from the total amount of the property. We hope that we helped to answer the age old question of how long do septic systems last?